30 August 2015

Saturday was party day. Justin worked to prep the yard. He was tasked with clean up and setting up an obstacle course. I put finishing touches on food and made sure the house was cleaned up. Justin hung up balloons, two hoops, made a lava field, and made sure the table was ready. The kids enjoyed pestering Justin with balloons and requests to play with the party stuff. Amelia, playing Princess Leia, welcomed the guests and helped them don tunics and belts. Darth Justin sent the kids through a padawan training course to earn their light sabers and a final duel with the dark lord himself. Once all the kids arrived he had them crawl through a tunnel, slide down a slide, fly their star fighters through a large hoop (level 1), than a smaller hoop (level 2). Some of the kids were really good at throwing their planes! The kids got to practice with a real light saber and fight off balloons to hone their saber skills. The final obstacle was hopping through a lava field. Darth Vader was waiting at the end to duel each child who passed Padawan training. Phillip had a little sad moment when his plane would not fly straight. He pouted until his friends piled around him and invited him to try again. He bounced back with style!

It was hot and muggy outside...the kids slurped down two gallons of yoda soda (watermelon juice with sprite). It tasted like nectar. For snacks the kids enjoyed pretzel light sabers, oreo tie fighters, cheeto asteroids, and gummy Ewoks. Of course the cake came soon after snacks. Dog Vader enjoyed all the leftovers in the grass. Phillip loved his cake, half good, half bad, decorated with Star Wars figures. His favorite gift by far was a remote control car from his buddy Noah Dean. He also loved the "Book with no Pictures," two Legos, a TMNT, and some Hot Wheel cars. The kids were outside playing with the remote control car the rest of the afternoon and evening. Phillip is learning how to steer...mostly.

My photographer friend Candice talked me into mentoring her with a newborn at 2:30. The mom did not follow my newborn session preparation guide. The baby was awake, hungry, and won the award for the poopiest baby ever. She soiled three shirts, and smeared poo on several fabrics, our hands, and 30 wipes. After she finished her business she was out like a light and slept for a little while. I loved "playing" with Candice. After the short session I was wiped out. I actually napped at 5:00 pm. We all spent a lovely evening in the side yard with the kids.

In church today we had the Stake Family History specialists give a wonderful presentation on how Family History is changing. I am so excited over all the opportunities our youth have to be involved. A video clip said that genealogy is about dates, family history is about the dash between dates. We have a fun chance to flesh out our family trees with photos, stories, and personal letters! It's so easy to access mountains of information these days. We tasked our youth to bring a name to our temple trip coming up in a couple weeks. I love watching the fire some of the kids have to achieve this goal.

Phillip and Evelyn celebrated their birthdays this week! Phillip turned 6 on Tuesday and Evelyn turned 2 on Thursday. Evelyn continues with her trend of restless sleeping patterns. It is exhausting. She alone made me exhausted. Monday night Amelia woke up with the stomach flu and digestional tract issues; Everett also woke up with croup like symptoms, and Phillip had a nightmare. I was a disaster Tuesday morning. I got up a bit early to make Phillip chocolate chip pancakes for his birthday. We sang him the birthday song then sent him to school. Amelia stayed home to recuperate from her hard night. My Visit Teachers saved the day...I forgot they were coming over. Just as I was about to leave for a long Walmart trip Gina and Jeremee showed up. Both ladies dug in and hand-washed my sink of dishes while I cleaned up the kitchen. It was so marvelous! I did not have the energy to get it all done. In less than 15 minutes the space was ship-shape. That was the best visit I've had in years. Since Amelia was home sick she stayed with Evelyn while she napped. Justin met Everett and I at Phillip's school for cupcakes and some birthday magic. He smiled so wide I thought his face would split! That was worth the entire exhausting day. Once again I was too tired to wrap presents so while the kids were bathing I hid his gifts and sent the kids on a treasure hunt. I really think he enjoyed my faux pas more than wrapping paper. Way to go tired MOMMY!!! We had a great time telling funny Phillip stories throughout the day. He is such a joy to have. He is delighted with three new Star Wars toys, a Chima toy, Dinotrux book, and $40.

Wednesday morning Phillip and Evelyn had well-child visits with Dr Shaw. Phillip had his kindergarten physical at the same time to save a doctor co-pay. Both kids are healthy and perfect in every way. Dr Shaw asked Evelyn all kinds of questions to which Evelyn answered "No," except for the question regarding if she wanted a million dollars...she answered "Yes!" That made the adults laugh for a good while. Phillip did not want to return to school after our fun morning date. He cried all the way to his classroom. I gave him a "Kissing Hand" then left him in the wonderful hands of Miss Hubbard. Evelyn and I spent the rest of the morning at Walmart shopping for party supplies and food. I was really proud of my thrifty skills, I only spent $50 on Phillip's party! Pretty good in my book for a group of 13 kids. I finally got my birthday present delivered in the form of a cute yellow cabinet for my living room...to store toys in. It fits right in. Of course I had to rearrange the furniture and also accomplish a deep clean on the space. That felt amazing. Our temps in Sidney were hovering over 100 degrees by the time school got out. I filled up the pool and set up the sprinkler. Soon the kids were whooping and hollering in the cold water. It was heaven outside! I really enjoyed Evelyn's onesie clad bum. She had a mighty fine bum crack hanging out. I made a simple dinner of ham, cold cantaloupe, and garden veggies for dinner.

Thursday was Evelyn's birthday. We did not do much to celebrate since she was totally unaware of her new status. Besides posting uber-adorable photos, a birthday lunch, and a couple gifts she spent her day in oblivion. I mostly worked on Phillip's birthday party preparation. I made each child a Jedi robe with four knit sheets I found at the thrift store. I also made Jedi swords with foam light sticks and duct tape. Friday night I made 14 paper airplanes as part of the obstacle course. Evelyn got a pink bouncy horse, a stroller, and three babies (Ana, Elsa, and one I made) for her birthday. She looked hilarious bouncing on her horse...her hair was sticking up all over. Her new favorite yard activity is picking green tomatoes off my vines. After her bath Justin put her stroller together, she raced up and down the sidewalk with her new toys. She was very happy! Amelia finally got a hair cut. I wanted to chop it all off to a cute a-line. She wanted it long. We compromised and only took off 3 inches. Her hair is long enough to be Heromine for Halloween, but short enough to brush without so many tangles.

My current pregnancy craving this time around is: nachos, specifically pickled jalapenos. I ate two jars of jalapenos this week. I am grossing myself out just writing about it, but still...there is the naked truth. I can't get enough nachos. I made homemade refried beans this week for tostadas. Oh my...so delicious. Pile on 20 jalapenos on beans and a tostada flat and bingo. Pregnancy craving solved.

Phillip lost his first tooth Friday night. His bottom right tooth was practically falling out. With a little floss we popped it right out of his mouth! He was so delighted! The tooth next door is ready to come out as well. He looks pretty cute with his new space. I worked in the kitchen off and on all day making treats for Phillip's party. We had nachos for dinner.